Biden Announces Creation of First-Ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks at the recent announcement on the establishment of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Harris will be overseeing the new office. (Photo credit: WhiteHouse.gov)


President Joe Biden announced on Thursday, September 21, 2023, plans to establish the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence.

“The Metropolitan Peace Initiatives and Communities Partnering 4 Peace commends the president on this monumental step in creating the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention,” said Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Executive Director Vaughn Bryant. “We look forward to working with the office designated to coordinating gun violence prevention measures across the federal government.”

The new office will be overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris and led by Stefanie Feldman, a longtime policy adviser to the president on gun issues. Leading gun violence prevention advocates Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox will join the Administration as Deputy Directors.

“Every time I’ve met with families impacted by gun violence as they mourn their loved ones,” said President Biden, “and I’ve met with so many throughout the country, they all have the same message for their elected officials: ‘do something.’ It’s why, last year, I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands, and have taken more executive action than any President in history to keep communities safe. But as I’ve said before – while these are important steps, they are just the first steps toward what is needed.
 
“That’s why I’m announcing additional steps forward,” continued Biden, “with the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to build upon these measures and keep Americans safe.”

“Every person and every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and live up to their God-given potential,” said Vice President Harris. “Every family, in every community, should have the freedom to live and to thrive. We know true freedom is not possible if people are not safe. This epidemic of gun violence requires urgent leadership to end the fear and trauma that Americans experience every day.

“The new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a critical role in implementing President Biden’s and my efforts to reduce violence to the fullest extent under the law,” said Harris, “while also engaging and encouraging Congressional leaders, state and local leaders, and advocates to come together to build upon the meaningful progress that we have made to save lives. Our promise to the American people is this: we will not stop working to end the epidemic of gun violence in every community, because we do not have a moment, nor a life to spare.”